Method of configuring a test device designed to test an electronic control unit, and a configuration system

ABSTRACT

A configuration system for a test device designed for testing an electronic control unit. The test device is a hardware-in-the-loop simulator or a rapid control prototyping simulator, wherein a software model of a technical system is executed on the test device and the software model communicates electronically via an input/output interface of the test device with a system to be tested that is connected to the test device. Simulation data is electronically transmitted by the communication, and the configuration system is coupled to a modeling system and in the modeling system is a software model characterized by transversely and longitudinally connected function blocks. The configuration system configures the test device by interconnected configuration items such that the configuration items determine the physical characteristics of the input/output interface and/or the connection of the input/output interface with the software model.

This nonprovisional application is a division of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/119,718 which was filed on Aug. 31, 2018 which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 120016.9, which was filed in Germany on Aug. 31, 2017, and which are bothherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the development of control units, asare used e.g., in the automotive industry or in the aerospace industryfor the control of technical systems, such as motors or brakes. Inparticular, the present invention relates to test devices used in thedevelopment process of the control unit.

Description of the Background Art

The development of control units has become a highly complex process.Thus, new control units or new control functions should be tested asearly as possible in the development process to check generalfunctionality and to specify the further direction of development.Towards the end of the development process, it is important to test thealready well-developed control unit as comprehensively as possible inorder to make necessary modifications based on the test results beforethe control unit is in use or enters series production so it works asdesired under all circumstances in later operation.

For the testing of control units, the methods hardware-in-the-loopsimulation (HIL simulation) and rapid control prototyping (RCP) areknown. In HIL simulation, an electronic control unit is connected to atest device (HIL simulator), on which, for example, a software model ofthe system to be controlled or regulated by the control unit isexecuted. The software model is also referred to as the environmentalmodel. The test device thus simulates the physical environment of thefuture operation for the control unit. In the RCP, on the other hand, asoftware model of a control unit to be developed or improved is executedon the test device. In the case of RCP, an external system connected tothe test device is then regulated or controlled via the test device bymeans of the model executed on the test device.

The test of a (series) control unit used in the end product is the endpoint of a plurality of preliminary development steps of a regulation orcontrol to be implemented on the control unit, wherein these developmentsteps are usually described by the so-called V-model or V-cycle. At thebeginning of the control unit development, which is essential for thefunctionality of many technical systems, the mathematical modeling ofthe control algorithm sits on a computer with a mathematical-graphicmodeling environment, also called a modeling system, wherein thecontroller is to be regarded as part of the control unit. In addition,the environment of the control unit is mathematically modeled becausethe interaction between the controller on the control unit and theprocess to be controlled is of interest. In these functionalmathematical considerations, a simulation in real time is usually notnecessary (offline simulation).

In the next step, the previously designed control algorithm istransferred by means of the rapid control prototyping to a powerful,usually real-time capable hardware, which is connected via suitable I/Ointerfaces to the actual physical process, for example, a motor vehicleengine. As a rule, this real-time capable hardware has nothing to dowith the subsequently used series control unit; it is a question ofproving the basic functionality of the previously designed control inpractice.

In a further step, as part of the automatic production code generation,the control is implemented on the target processor which is probablylater actually used in the series control unit. The target hardware thusapproximates the series control unit in this step, but is not identicalto the series control unit.

In a further step, the series control unit, which is usually notavailable until a later stage of development, is checked by means of ahardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test. The (series) control unit physicallypresent in this step is connected here by means of its physical controlunit interface to a powerful simulation computer, often referred tosimply as a simulator or test device. The simulator simulates therequired variables of the real control unit to be tested and exchangesinput and output variables with the control unit. The pins of thephysical control unit interface of the control unit are connected withthe simulator via a cable harness. Thus, it is possible in thesimulation environment to simulate all the required variables, forexample, of a motor vehicle engine—if needed, of the entire motorvehicle with engine, powertrain, chassis and driving distance—and tosafely check the behavior of the control unit in interaction with thesimulation environment.

For configurating test devices such as HIL or RCP systems, oftenconfiguration systems are used which may include, for example,configuration diagrams. The configuration adjusts the test device suchthat software models of technical systems can be executed on the testdevice and communicate electronically via the input/output interface ofthe test device with devices (systems to be tested) connected to thetest device. Software models are created in dedicated modelingenvironments that are tailored to the needs of the modeling.

The known configuration systems or configuration diagrams have thedisadvantage that the configuration of the test device properties incertain application scenarios is time-consuming, unclear andcomplicated.

In particular, it is a disadvantage that the configuration systems havea very large number of configuration items, arranged in a differentstructure than it is known from the modeling environment, resulting in anon-intuitive and slow configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to further developthe configuration process of HIL and RCP simulations and, in particular,to simplify, to make it more flexible, to make it more intuitive and toaccelerate it.

In an exemplary embodiment, an object is achieved by a configurationsystem for a test device designed for testing an electronic controlunit, wherein the test device is a hardware-in-the-loop simulator orrapid control prototyping simulator, wherein a software model of atechnical system is executed on the test device and the software modelcommunicates via an input/output interface of the test device with asystem to be tested that is connected to the test device, wherein thecommunication electronically transmits simulation data, and theconfiguration system is coupled to a modeling system and in the modelingsystem is a software model characterized by function blocksinterconnected transversely and longitudinally, and the configurationsystem configures the test device by means of interconnectedconfiguration items such that the configuration items specify thephysical properties of the input/output interface and/or the connectionof the input/output interface with the software model, and theconfiguration system has a coupling interface for coupling to themodeling system, wherein by means of the coupling, the software model ismade available to the configuration system during runtime of themodeling system, characterized in that the configuration system analyzesthe model and thereby determines a model structure, wherein the modelstructure at least describes to which other blocks each block islongitudinally connected, the configuration system initiates a transferof the model structure to the configuration system, and in theconfiguration system, the configuration items are structured accordingto the transmitted model structure such that for the first functionblock and thus a longitudinally subordinate or superior second functionblock, a respective first and second configuration item associatedthereto are generated, which are longitudinally interconnected.

Such a configuration system according to the invention offers manytechnical advantages.

By also considering the model structure in the configuration system, acomplete model topology with all its associated input-output interfacesis presented outside the modeling environment, allowing for themodel-oriented insertion, deletion, movement, and swapping ofinput/output functions. Signal chains, i.e., the connections betweenfunction blocks and input/output access points or so-called model portblocks, can now be generated independently of the modeling environment.The invention further allows for the signal chain to be attacheddirectly to a given model level and generated there. This resultsoverall in a clearer and less complicated configuration as compared tothe configuration methods of the prior art.

Here, transversally connected means that the function blocks areconnected according to the signal flow. A signal is thus sent betweentwo mutually transversely connected blocks. Longitudinal connectionsarise, for example, if several transversely connected function blocksare combined to form a comprehensive function block or subsystem. Thisresults in two partial models or model diagrams that are connected toeach other longitudinally.

Function blocks and configuration items associated with one another arethose which lie on the same longitudinal plane and lie, in other words,on the same hierarchical level.

The transfer of the model structure can be done, for example, bysuitable automation interfaces.

The model structure may be, for example, a data structure in which thedesignations of the components of the model and their hierarchical orderas well as possibly further parameters and descriptions are stored.

The term electronic transfer or electronic communication can cover allpossibilities of digital and analog electronic data transfer, such asvia cables, electrical conductors, conductor tracks, radio waves or anyother form of wireless transfer by electromagnetic waves, optical oropto-electronic transfer via fiber optic cables, the use of networks andbus systems as well as the transfer of bits and bytes, e.g., in acomputer system and the like.

The configuration item accesses the modeling system in the configurationsystem, and the access generates an IO access point as a new functionblock in the modeling system, wherein the longitudinal plane of the IOaccess point corresponds to the longitudinal plane of the configurationitem from which access was initiated.

Access can be initiated e.g., by a keyboard or mouse command. Inparticular, access can be initiated by dragging an input-output functionor a graphical representation of a channel of the test device with themouse onto a configuration item. If access is initiated by pulling achannel, a selection of an appropriate input-output functionsubsequently takes place.

The term IO access point can be synonymous to the expressioninput/output access point or model port block. An IO access pointrepresents the connection between the model to be executed and theinput-output interface of the test device.

This allows for the configuration to take place completely in theconfiguration system and no longer has to be switched between theconfiguration system and the modeling system, as is common in the priorart. This also prevents unwanted editing from taking place in the model.

Thus, by way of the access, a signal chain formed of an input-outputfunction and/or a channel of the test device can be automaticallyassigned to a model. If multiple models are active in the modelingenvironment at the same time, then an automatic selection of a modelsuitable for the input-output function or the channel of the test devicecan take place. The selection is made based on hardware or topologyinformation associated with the input-output function or the channel ofthe test device. Thus, the model that runs in an application processwhich can access the selected input-output interface or hardware ischosen. This is very advantageous especially in multiprocessorapplications.

The configuration system can be designed such that a change to aconfiguration item in the configuration system is automaticallytransferred to the function block associated therewith in the modelingsystem. This has the advantage that a configuration step is omitted forthe user since the change in the modeling system no longer has to bemade manually.

This is advantageously done only if a change is relevant to therespective IO access point, which is ascertained by the configurationsystem. If there are changes to the ports (inputs and outputs) of theinput-output functions, especially when assigning the input-outputfunction to the associated IO access point, then these changes in thefunctions are automatically propagated into the modeling environment.

The transfer of the changes can also take place selectively within thescope of the invention. This means that changes are transferred in aselected model, block, or subsystem.

The configuration system can also be designed such that it can modifythe modeling system in such a way that a change to a function block inthe modeling system is automatically transferred to the configurationitem in the configuration system associated therewith. The transfer ofthe change can optionally take place after initiation by a user.

The configuration system can further include a configuration item fordisplaying components of the input/output interface that are notconfigured to communicate with the software model. This means, inparticular, that those input-output functions are displayed that are notassociated with a model from a modeling environment. The configurationitem for displaying components of the input/output interface that arenot configured to communicate with the software model can still be usedfor resolving signal chains or connections. This means that, forexample, input/output functions can be moved to this configuration item.This releases the input/output function from the model (the signal chainis resolved). However, the input/output function and the model portblock are retained. This was not possible in previous configurationsystems.

It is also possible to remove complete signal chains, thereby alsodeleting them from the modeling system.

The configuration system may be further configured to include a markingsystem, wherein the marking system is designed to mark configurationitems having inconsistencies with the respective associated functionblocks. An inconsistency is, e.g., the case that a configuration item,in particular an input-output function, is not assigned to any IO accesspoint. Within the framework of this development stage, the configurationsystem can also have a notification system which informs a user that apropagation or transfer of the changes is necessary because, forexample, certain parameters have been changed. The markings can be done,for example, by color highlighting, e.g., if the interfaces between themodel port block and the input/output function have inconsistencies withregard to the number of ports, port widths or port data types. Forexample, the markers may also be done as a pictogram in the style of anupdate arrow on the model port block if, for example, the model portblock has been changed in the configuration system but the change hasnot yet been transferred to the modeling system.

In a further expansion stage, in the configuration system, theconfiguration items can be structured in a special execution modecorresponding to the transferred model structure, in which it is notpossible to adjust an entire port configuration. This allows users tofocus on a subsegment of the configuration. In this case, complete portconfiguration refers to the assignment of all IO access points toinput-output functions.

The configuration system can configure an input/output event by means ofthe configuration item and transmit the configured event to the modelingsystem. Here, e.g., task configurations are automatically generated orexisting task configurations are assigned to the event.

A task is a part of a program code whose execution is controlled by areal-time operating system. A task is usually triggered or initiated byone or more events. In a configuration system according to theinvention, various predefined tasks can be created. It is also possibleto re-create application-specific tasks, e.g., input/output events.Input/output events are asynchronous events that are triggeredasynchronously by an input/output function. Depending on the type oftask, various parameters such as priority or a data acquisition rastername (DAQ raster name) can be configured.

The configuration system may also be configured to allow access from themodeling system to the configuration system through the coupling.Through this access, for example, the configuration system can beactivated and a switch to the configuration item or input-outputfunction associated with the respective access point can be made. Aninitial data input or adjustment or a project creation can also begenerated by the modeling system. Furthermore, this access can initiatea deletion of the signal chain and functionalities of the configurationsystem, such as the generation of an executable application process, canbe made available in the modeling system. In addition, the IO functionassociated with an access point and/or the assignment of the accesspoint to the input/output hardware of the test device can be indicatedin the modeling system. This allows a user to see in the modelingenvironment, which channels of the input/output interface are associatedwith the access points. This facilitates the connection of externaldevices to the test device or the control of the test device cablingwith the external devices. In a further embodiment, the assignment ofthe individual terminals (pins) can also be transferred to the modelingenvironment, which makes the so-called “buzzing out” easier whenconnecting the external devices, for example, the ECUs to be tested. Aspecial feature of the access from the modeling system to theconfiguration system is also that the information displayed in themodeling system is not included in the model, only in the configurationsystem.

A method is also included for configuring a test device designed fortesting an electronic control unit by means of a configuration system,wherein the test device is a hardware-in-the-loop simulator or rapidcontrol prototyping simulator, wherein a software model of a technicalsystem is executed on the test device and the software modelcommunicates with a system connected to the test device via aninput/output interface of the test device, simulation data beingtransmitted electronically by the communication, wherein theconfiguration system is coupled to a modeling system and in the modelingsystem there is a software model characterized by transversely andlongitudinally connected function blocks, and the test device isconfigured by the configuration system by means of interconnectedconfiguration items such that the physical properties of theinput/output interface and/or the connection of the input/outputinterface with the software model are defined by means of theconfiguration items, wherein the configuration system is coupled to themodeling system such that during runtime of the modeling system, thesoftware model is made available in the configuration system by means ofa coupling interface, characterized in that the configuration systemanalyzes the model and thus determines a model structure, wherein themodel structure describes with which other blocks each block islongitudinally connected, the configuration system initiates a transferof the model structure to the configuration system and in theconfiguration system, the configuration items corresponding to thetransmitted model structure are structured in such a way that for thefirst function block and thus a longitudinally subordinate or superiorsecond function block, a respective first and second configuration itemassociated thereto are generated, which are longitudinallyinterconnected.

The modifications, other properties and effects described above withrespect to the configuration system of a test device designed fortesting an electronic control unit are analogously applicable to thesaid method. In particular, there are now a large number ofpossibilities for designing and developing the method according to theinvention.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations,and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitiveof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a test device;

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate two schematic representations ofconfiguration systems;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of configuration items;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary modeling environment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary form of a configuration system which is connectedwith a modeling environment via a coupling interface;

FIG. 6 is a modeling system which has transversely and longitudinallyinterconnected function blocks; and

FIG. 7 is a part of a configuration system with longitudinally connectedconfiguration items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a test device 100 on which a software model 103 of atechnical system is executed on a calculation unit 105, wherein thesoftware model or the calculation unit communicates via an input/outputinterface 102 of the test device, and an internal data connection 107communicates with a device 110 connected to the test device. Acalculation unit may be, e.g., a processor, an FPGA or an embedded PC.The communication with the test device can take place via thetransmission of analog or digital electrical signals. The test devicemay include various hardware units (e.g., riser cards) that form theinput/output interface 102. The input-output interface and thecalculation unit 105 form a coherent system, but can also be spatiallyseparated from each other and connected to each other via electronicconnections.

For example, the test device 100 may be a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)simulator. The test device 100 may also be a “Rapid Control Prototyping”(RCP) system. The test device can also be a device that is suitable forperforming HIL tests or RCP tests in that a model of a technical systemcan be executed in the test device and this model can exchange data viainput/output interfaces with a device, such as a control unit, which isconnected to the test device, wherein with this data exchange, inparticular the reaction of the test device to the resulting model data,which is transmitted for example in the form of electrical signals tothe control unit, is analyzed.

A software model 103, such as a model of a technical system, may forexample be available in the form of a software model, which is specifiedby a source code, for example in a high-level language such as C, C++,or in a machine language such as Assembler or an executable machinecode. Using a technical model, any system can be modeled to virtuallysimulate it. Thus, for example, a model of a motor may be available assoftware, wherein the software is programmed such that during asimulation, in this case an execution of the model on a CPU or an FPGA,input parameters are processed by the software and depending on theinput parameters and the properties of the model, output values aregenerated. An input parameter may be, for example, a voltage applied toa throttle valve of a gasoline engine and output values could in thisregard be a resulting throttle valve opening angle, fuel consumptionand/or a torque resulting at the crankshaft. However, the model may alsobe a model of a control unit to be tested or developed. In general, thesoftware model can be understood as an algorithm for controlling,regulating or simulating the behavior of a technical system.

FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a configuration system 200 or aconfiguration diagram which contains a plurality of configuration items(310, 320, 330, 340) which can be connected to connection lines 201 forconfiguring the test device 100.

For example, properties and functionalities of the test device, inparticular the input/output interfaces and/or the model interfaces orinternal data connections 107, can be configured with the configurationitems. Exemplary properties include interface types, voltage/currentranges, units, unit scales, data types, duty cycles, frequencies and/orerror injections. These properties can be specified by parameters, forexample by predetermined selection options from several parameters or byan option for free input of the parameters. These properties can betransmitted to the test device by means of the configuration system,where they can be stored and thus cause a configuration of the testdevice according to the characteristics. This configuration process canalso be done indirectly, e.g., by code generation according to thecharacteristics, and/or subsequent compilation of the generated code,transfer of the code or the compiled code to the test device, andexecution of the compiled code on the test device. The storage of theproperties on the test device can therefore also take place by means ofa source code or binary code.

The configuration items can be assigned physical properties of the testdevice with respective parameters of the properties and by means of theparameters, the communication, in particular the functionality betweenthe connected device (system to be tested) and the software model, canbe configured. In a graphical configuration environment, the individualconfiguration items can also be interconnected to perform aconfiguration of the test device. With the connection lines 201, variousconfiguration items can be interconnected, in other words, associated orassigned. These assignments allow for various hardware components of thetest device, such as processors, FPGAs, input/output boards, storagemedia, and the like, to be configured to exchange data, that is, toreceive and transmit electrical signals.

FIG. 2b illustrates a more specific form of a configuration system 200.Here, the configuration system is divided into 3 subunits or columns,making the configuration much more efficient and intuitive for a user.In the embodiment illustrated here, in the left-hand column, the devicesconnected to the test device 100 are configured with the configurationitems 1100 and 1200. The input/output interface of the test device isconfigured with the configuration items 310, 320, and 350 provided inthe middle column. The properties of the models connected to the devicesto be tested are configured with the configuration items 330, 340 and360 in the right-hand column. The configuration items may be graphicallyconnected to one or more other configuration items to set thetransmission paths of physical or logical signals.

A configuration system differs from a modeling environment in that it isspecifically tailored to the requirements for configuring a test device.In particular, it is thus also possible to create a documentation of thetest device, to reuse configuration components or software models indifferent test scenarios, to execute software models from differentdevelopment/modeling environments on the test device, to optimizemulti-core and multi-processor uses.

FIG. 3 shows special types of the configuration items 310 and 320 inwhich the configuration items have a hierarchical structure. The varioushierarchical levels (311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316) of the configurationitem can in turn be understood as configuration items (311, 312, 313,314, 315, 316). The configuration items are each a specific item type.An item type or the role of an item in terms of this invention isunderstood to be a technical typification of an item. Exemplary itemtypes include input/output devices, input/output channels, input/outputcards, routers, potentials, slot pins, function ports, function blocks,signal conditioning and/or logic signals. In the concrete example inFIG. 3, the configuration item 310 that is set to the highesthierarchical level can be, for example, of the type “input-outputfunction” or “IO-function”, “function block” or more specifically“voltage in/out”, “current in/out”, “analog/digital in/out” or “PWMin/out”. The configuration items 311 and 315 of the next lowerhierarchical level may, for example, be of the type “electricalinterface” or “model interface”. The configuration items 312 of the nextlower hierarchy level may be, for example, of the type “logic signal”.The configuration items of the lowest hierarchy level may, for example,be of the type “function port”, “signal port” or “model port” and mayalso generally be referred to as a port. In a hierarchical structure ofthe configuration items, it may also be the case that a property isadditionally associated with the configuration items that arehierarchically superior and/or subordinate to the configuration itemthat is primarily associated with the respective property.

The configuration items can be assigned properties of the test device atall hierarchical levels. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here,the configuration items 313 and 314 are assigned the properties 413 and414. Since the configuration items 313 and 314 are hierarchicallysubordinate to the configuration item 310, the properties 413 and 414can likewise be assigned to the configuration item 310 and/or assignedto the configuration items positioned between the configuration items310 and 314.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the configuration items 323, 324, 326and 327, which are hierarchically subordinate to the configuration item320, are assigned the properties 423, 424, 426 and 427. Sinceconfiguration items 323, 324, 326, and 327 are hierarchicallysubordinate to configuration item 320, properties 423, 424, 426, and 427may also be assigned to configuration item 320 and/or assigned to theconfiguration items positioned between configuration items 320 and 323,324, 326 or 327, respectively.

The properties can be physically stored in the test device, e.g., asdata structures, file structures, function structures, programstructures, variables, parameters or the like.

The configuration items at the lowest hierarchical level (e.g., 313 and314) may also be referred to as ports. These can be connected to portsof other configuration items so as to enable data exchange orcommunication or signal exchange between the connected configurationitems or the hardware units associated therewith. This connection canalso take place automatically taking into account the properties and/orroles.

A configuration item can, for example, also be a graphic element (block,UML node, etc.) in a graphical user interface, such as a configurationdiagram. A configuration item can also be a smaller part of a largergraphical element in a graphical user interface.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary modeling environment 400 in which a(graphical) program or an optional algorithm is graphically modeled.Here, program or model components and their functional relationships areconfigured by graphical elements, such as blocks and lines. For example,the graphical program 400 in FIG. 4 designed in the modeling environmentmay be designed such that said graphical program reads in a first inputvalue with the function block 401 and a second input value with thefunction block 402, then further processes the read-in data inaccordance with the functionality specified in block 403 in order tooutput an output value by means of the output block 404, which iscalculated by means of the graphical program. The functionality of block403 could be, for example, to add or multiply the input values, todifferentiate or integrate them, or the like. The graphical blocks canbe interconnected by connecting lines, thus establishing a data exchangebetween blocks. Of course, a graphical program 400 is not limited to theembodiment shown here but may be more complex, which may be reflected inthe number of blocks and block connections. The graphical program 400may be used to model a technical system. Thus, a graphical program 400may also be a model of a technical system 103 and/or 104. Theprogramming of models of technical systems is often done with graphicalprogramming languages where graphic blocks are linked together in ablock diagram. Each graphic block is assigned a specific functionality.These can be simple mathematical operations. On the other hand, thefunctionalities of graphical blocks can also be far more complex andrepresent complete program functions or programs. An example of suchgraphical programming languages or modeling environments is, forexample, Simulink by The Mathworks. In some circumstances, for exampleif the function blocks are also suitable for configuring a test device,the function blocks can also be referred to as configuration items.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary form of a configuration system 200 that isconnected to a modeling environment 400 via a coupling interface 5. Viathe coupling interface, information about the software model istransferred to the configuration environment.

If a transfer from the configuration system is initiated, theconfiguration system can use the coupling interface to recognize whichsoftware models are currently in the modeling environment or are beingprocessed. Of these software models, one or more may be selected, forexample, via a list view in the configuration system, to provide it tothe configuration environment without having to manually specify a filepath to the software model. In this case, the software model can also beanalyzed, for example, to determine its subsystem structure and/or modelport blocks or input/output interfaces of the software model, and to useit in the configuration system. Software models are recognized viaproprietary connection mechanisms or general automation interfaces. Viathese, software commands can be issued to query open software models orfile paths. The necessary commands can be encapsulated within theconfiguration system.

If the transfer from the modeling environment is initiated, then theconfiguration system can be started from the modeling environment, ifnecessary. From an open software model, a user may initiate the additionof the software model to an existing instance of the configurationsystem or the creation of a new instance to which the software model isadded. In order to make this possible, source code components areinserted in the process space of the modeling environment, with which,for example, automation interfaces of the configuration system can beaccessed. This way, for example, the name and/or the file path or otherproperties of the software model can be transferred.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modeling system having transversal andlongitudinally linked function blocks. In other words, the diagram 403represents a subsystem. In order to manage the complexity of modelshaving many function blocks, it is possible for a plurality of functionblocks to be combined or grouped to form a new function block, which isthen referred to as a subsystem. In this exemplary embodiment, thefunction blocks 4001-4004 have been combined to form the subsystem 403.Therefore, instead of being represented by 4 blocks in the model 400,these 4 function blocks 4001-4004 are represented by only one functionblock, i.e., subsystem block 403. This makes the model 400 visiblyclearer. Since the function blocks 401 to 404 can also be combined toform a common subsystem block, the model 400 can also be called afunction block. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the models orsubsystems or function blocks 400 and 403 are longitudinallyinterconnected. In contrast, the function blocks 401 to 404 areconnected to each other transversely. The function blocks 4001 to 4004are also connected to each other transversely. The function block 400 islongitudinally subordinate to the function block 403.

In other words, the blocks 4001-4004 are indirectly longitudinallyconnected to the function blocks 401, 402 and 404 via the subsystemformation.

FIG. 7 shows a part of a configuration system in which the configurationitems 500, 503 and 5003 are structured according to the transferredmodel structure in such a way, that for the function block 403 and thethus longitudinally subordinate and superordinate function blocks 400and 4003 in each case the configuration items 503, 500 and 5003associated thereto were created, which were interconnectedlongitudinally. The longitudinal connection is shown here also by thehierarchical arrangement.

Here, a configuration item 5003 also associated with the function block4003 is shown, since the function block 4003 also represents a subsystemand includes other function blocks which, however, are not illustratedin FIG. 7. Another configuration item that is associated with aninput/output function may be subordinate to the configuration item 5003.

According to the invention, the longitudinal representation in FIG. 7can also be converted into a transversal representation. This allows forthe configuration items to be edited and displayed in different viewswithout having to leave the configuration system.

It is also furthermore possible that a configuration item is subordinateto several configuration items.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to beincluded within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A configuration system comprising: a test devicehaving at least a processor, the test device designed for testing anelectronic control unit, the test device being a hardware-in-the-loopsimulator or a rapid control prototyping simulator, a software model ofa technical system is executed on the test device and the software modelelectronically communicates via an input/output interface of the testdevice with a system to be tested that is connected to the test device,wherein simulation data is transmitted electronically by thecommunication; and a modeling system having a software model comprisingtransversely and longitudinally connected function blocks, theconfiguration system configures the test device through interconnectedconfiguration items such that the configuration items determine aphysical characteristics of the input/output interface and/or theconnection of the input/output interface to the software model, and theconfiguration system has a coupling interface for coupling to themodeling system, wherein the software model is made available to theconfiguration system during runtime of the modeling system via thecoupling, wherein the configuration system analyzes the software modeland thus determines a model structure of the software model, wherein themodel structure of the software model at least describes to which otherblocks each block is longitudinally connected, wherein the configurationsystem initiates a transfer of the model structure of the software modelto the configuration system, and wherein the configuration items arestructured corresponding to the transferred model structure of thesoftware model such that for the first function block and thus a second,longitudinally subordinate or superordinate function block, a first andsecond configuration item each associated thereto are generated, whichare longitudinally interconnected.
 2. The configuration system accordingto claim 1, wherein the configuration item accesses the modeling system,and the access generates an IO access point as a new function block inthe modeling system, and wherein the longitudinal plane of the IO accesspoint corresponds to the longitudinal plane of the configuration itemfrom which the access was initiated.
 3. The configuration systemaccording to claim 2, wherein configuration parameters of the generatedIO access point in the modeling system are automatically adjusted by theconfiguration system.
 4. The configuration system according to claim 1,wherein a change to a configuration item in the configuration system isautomatically transferred to the function block associated thereto inthe modeling system.
 5. The configuration system according to claim 1,wherein a change to a function block is automatically transferred to theconfirmation item associated thereto.
 6. The configuration systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a configuration item fordisplaying components of the input/output interface that are notconfigured to communicate with the software model.
 7. The configurationsystem according to claim 1, further comprising a marking system,wherein the marking system is designed to mark configuration itemshaving inconsistencies with the respective associated function blocks.8. The configuration system according to claim 1, wherein theconfiguration items are structured according to the transferred modelstructure in a special execution mode, in which it is not possible toadjust an entire port configuration.
 9. The configuration systemaccording to claim 1, wherein an input/output event is configured by theconfiguration item and is transferred to the modeling system.
 10. Theconfiguration system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling providesaccess from the modeling system to the configuration system.
 11. Amethod for configuring a test device designed to test an electroniccontrol unit, wherein the test device is a hardware-in-the-loopsimulator or a rapid control prototyping simulator, the methodcomprising: executing a software model of a technical system on the testdevice and the software model communicates electronically via aninput/output interface of the test device with a system to be testedthat is connected to the test device, transmitting simulation dataelectronically by the communication; coupling the configuration systemto a modeling system, wherein, in the modeling system, is a softwaremodel having transversely and longitudinally interconnected functionblocks; configuring the test device via the configuration system byinterconnected configuration items such that the physical properties ofthe input/output interface and/or the connection of the input/outputinterface with the software model are determined via the configurationitems, wherein the configuration system is coupled to the modelingsystem such that the software model is made available to theconfiguration system during runtime of the modeling system via acoupling interface; analyzing, by the configuration system, the softwaremodel and thus determining a model structure of the software model thatdescribes to which other blocks each block is connected longitudinally;initiating a transfer by the configuration system of the model structureof the software model to the configuration system; and structuring, inthe configuration system, the configuration items corresponding to thetransferred model structure of the software model such that for thefirst function block and thus a longitudinally subordinate orsuperordinate second function block, a first and second configurationitem are generated, which are longitudinally interconnected and eachassociated to said function blocks.